Sick Rooster

[Kim from Upstate New York]

I have a flock of 5 hens and 1 rooster (as well as 6 ducks). I bought them 10 weeks ago from Tractor Supply. I noticed from early on that the hens were sitting on top of the rooster. Being new to this I didn't see a problem or even how I would stop them from sitting on him. I have noticed for about the last week the rooster doesn't walk around much and when he does he seems to be favoring his one leg. He is also loosing all the feathers on his chest. The hens are still stepping all over him. I can't figure out if he has a serious leg problem or maybe it's a back problem? I'm just not sure what to do to help him. Do hens know when the rooster is sick and actually try to hurt him? I always thought roosters were dominant but this poor guy seems to just be getting walked all over! Help! Any advice is truly appreciated. This is my first flock and I really have very little knowledge. I don't want to give up on him if there might be some way I can help him. Thank you!

 

[Poultrybreeder]

He could be crippled, crippled roosters tend to lie down a lot, and the feathers gone off of the chest would be from the hens pecking them off. Sometimes if a hen knows the rooster is sick, they will act if he is not even there, like walking on him

 

[Kim from Upstate New York]

Oh no! Is there anything I can do for him?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How old are they?
Can you post some photos of your hens, the rooster, your coop and run?
What type of food/treats are you feeding?

If the hens are stepping all over him and plucking his feathers out, it would be best to separate him so you can observe his health.

See that he is eating and drinking. Offer some poultry vitamins and extra protein like egg or tuna to the rooster.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

The best thing to make him comfortable is to get the hens to stop eating his feathers, I would recommend getting some anti feather pickers to put on there peaks, it makes the hens not be able to see the rooster's feathers

 

[Kim from Upstate New York]

I'm a bit more concerned about the fact that he really isn't walking hardly at all. I'm not sure if he has a broken leg perhaps?

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Is he putting any weight on his bad leg at all?

 

[Kim from Upstate New York]

Hardly any weight at all

 

[Poultrybreeder]

If it were broken, he would refuse to put the slightest amount of weight on in. You could set it in splints if you want to though

 

[Kim from Upstate New York]

Perhaps it might be his back that's the problem? I have found then hens sitting on top of him. They did this even when they were as young as 4 weeks old and they're 10 weeks old now